Page 84 of He Sees You When You’re Sleeping

Chapter Thirty-One

Chloe

I’ve never walked into a fire station before. Walked past, driven by, but never really paid attention to the exterior and how it differs from other buildings. The large red bay doors dominate the facade, each wide enough to accommodate a massive fire engine. Above them, a row of windows reveals glimpses of the second floor, where I imagine firefighters spend their downtime between calls.

It’s Christmas, and I’m here for dinner with the crew and their families, but I’m uncertain if I overdressed or underdressed. I didn’t ask Jack what the dress attire was and felt silly sending a text after he left this morning to ask.

I take a deep breath and push open the side door, the one meant for people rather than trucks. The warmth hits me first, along with the mingled scents of food and... man. Voices and laughter spill out from further inside, and I follow the sounds down a short hallway.

The community room is decked out in full holiday splendor. A massive Christmas tree dominates one corner, its lights twinkling merrily. Garlands drape across the ceiling, and a long table groans under the weight of potluck dishes. I spot Jack across the room, chatting with a couple of his colleagues. He’s wearing navy pants, and his navy fire T-shirt is stretched across his broad shoulders. A wave of relief washes over me; my outfit of a simple red sweater and black slacks seems to fit right in with the casual yet festive atmosphere.

Jack catches my eye and his face lights up with a smile. He excuses himself from his conversation and makes his way over to me, weaving through the small clusters of people scattered around the room.

“You made it,” he says warmly, pulling me into a quick hug. The familiar scent of his cologne mixed with a hint of smoke envelops me. “I was starting to worry you might have gotten lost.”

“Sorry I’m a little late,” I reply, feeling a blush creep up my cheeks. “I, uh, spent more time than I’d like to admit second-guessing my outfit choice.”

Jack chuckles, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Well, you look perfect. Come on, let me introduce you to everyone.”

As we move through the room, I’m struck by the sense of camaraderie that permeates the air. These people aren’t just coworkers; they’re a family. Children dart between the adults’ legs, their laughter punctuating the steady hum of conversation. The firemen are in the large industrial-style kitchen cooking while the fire wives and girlfriends stand nearby chatting casually. Jack introduces me to so many people that the names start to blur together, but everyone is warm and welcoming. I find myself relaxing, drawn into conversations about holiday traditions and funny stories from the firehouse.

It’s quite the scene watching four firemen in their casual uniforms moving about the kitchen with grace. The food smells amazing and I can’t help but be impressed by their culinary skills. Jack notices my gaze and leans in close, his breath warm against my ear.

“Firefighters make the best cooks,” he whispers with a wink. “We’ve got plenty of practice feeding hungry crews after long shifts. It’s a requirement of the job.”

“To cook?”

He nods. “We all take turns cooking dinner, so yeah, we learn really quick how to cook. Tonight we all pitch in for you guys—our guests.”

“Can I help in any way?”

“No. You just get yourself a drink over there,” he points to a table with sodas and tea, “and I’ll go check on the pumpkin pies I made.”

I nod and make my way to the drink table, selecting a cup of spiced apple cider. The warmth of the mug seeps into my hands as I take a sip, the sweet and spicy flavors dancing on my tongue. I turn back to observe the room, feeling more at ease now that I’ve settled in.

A young woman approaches me, her curly hair bouncing as she walks. She’s wearing a festive green sweater with tiny reindeer prancing across it. “Hi there! I’m Melissa, Tom’s wife. You must be Jack’s new girlfriend?”

Girlfriend? Um... how do I? I don’t even know what we are.

“I’m Chloe,” I answer, hoping that’s enough.

Melissa shakes my hand enthusiastically. “Oh, we’ve all been dying to meet you! Jack’s been so secretive, but we could tell something was different. He’s been smiling a lot more lately.”

Butterflies flutter in my chest at her words. “Really? That’s... that’s good to hear.”

I catch a glimpse of Jack in the kitchen. He’s laughing with his colleagues, a dish towel slung over his shoulder as he pulls a golden-brown pie from the oven. The sight of him so at ease, so in his element, makes my heart swell.

Melissa follows my gaze and smiles knowingly. “They’re quite a sight, aren’t they? All that masculinity crammed into a kitchen.” She laughs softly. “But don’t let the tough guy act fool you. These men are some of the most caring, compassionate people you’ll ever meet.”

I nod, still watching Jack as he carefully places the pie on a cooling rack. “I’m starting to see that,” I say.

Melissa and I continue chatting, and I instantly warm to her bubbly personality. She introduces me to a few other wives and girlfriends, and soon we’re all swapping stories and laughing together. It feels good to be included, to be part of this tight-knit community, even if I’m not quite sure where I fit in yet.

As the evening progresses, the aroma of roasted turkey and savory sides fills the air. Jack calls everyone to gather around the long tables that have been set up in the center of the room. I find myself seated between Jack and Melissa, with children excitedly squirming in their seats across from us.

Captain Rodriguez stands at the head of the table, his salt-and-pepper hair neatly combed and his kind eyes sweeping over the gathered group. He clears his throat, and a hush falls over the room.

“Before we dig into this wonderful meal,” he begins, his voice warm and rich, “I’d like to say a few words. First, to our newest guests,” he nods in my direction and a couple of others, “welcome to our fire station family. We’re glad you could join us tonight.”

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